You are credible when you say you made witty conversation. P.S. How about those election results in newly ungerrymandered Michigan! People love to say that Democrats are inept, but they've been anything but inept (for the most part) during the ByeDon Administration. Darned autocorrect—that was supposed to be Biden.
I live close enough to MKE to make it worth your investment. Besides I married a Krebsback from the (WI) Holyland. If that doesn't pique your interest I don't know would. She's a keeper, too. And we would help you avoid Ron Johnson at all cost!
Financial gurus use the acronym ROI (return on investment) to describe your coup de grace for your fateful night at the opera. Sometimes the magic of the world of Walt prevails rather than the all-to-cynical one of his son Roy. May that the world of Disney and enchantment prevail in our attempts at living in a civilized world. Thank you for your wisdom, Garrison.
This is the best review I have read of Traviata and they were all good. I saw it in Live HD in Southern Pines, NC. I didn't have to pay nearly as much as you did but then I didn't get to see the lady in glass shards. I fell in love with opera when I was 8 years old ~ weird I know. Now at age 89 I still love it. When I was in the ordination for the Episcopal Church I was asked what my passion was and I blurted out : OPERA. I figured I had cooked my goose but thanks be to God there was a priest on the Commission on Ministry that loved opera! Otherwise I might have become what I really wanted to be: A violinist in the Met Orchestra ~ oh to have been in the pit for Nadine, for Renee, for Joyce and Sondra. Now that is my idea of heaven.
“Obscenity is so lame. Try being witty, it’s more destructive. Also more memorable.” Kudos, Mr. Keillor! What a bon mot! (I think that qualifies, as there is no precise word limit on what constitutes a bon mot.)
bravo, bravoBRAVO GK! We saw La Traviata and glorious Nadine Sierra and brilliant Luca in local movie theatre. What a delight to see the closeups , hear and read text all at same time, so much better than orchestra seats we afforded some years ago on trips to NYC from Boston.
Now we can rejoice in the pink-only trickle & the down-falling of the nemesis of democracy….
Loved this column! My version: Sometime during first date - Me "Do you like Opera?" She "Yes." Me "I have tickets." Within a month, Berlioz Beatrice et Benedict sealed the deal.
And what a perfect contrast between the (perhaps) hyper morality of that era and the amorality of today's political world.
I don't believe the part where you say your now dear wife's political leaning would not have affected your attraction back then. Likely even your own mother's. You are a lib through and through and were born so and always will be. Just like Woody Allen in his movie about having no such brain tumor. The sad part about it is that you think your are superior to others who don't, no matter their qualities. What a loss of good friends among almost half the population.
Garrison, No. You are superior to many in what you do. You crank out engaging stories like no one else and you are right, in my opinion, about many things, but you seem to chastise and often demean those who differ with you politically. They have a right to their opinion as do you. I got my own put down from my Irish mother at our dinner table when I uttered a smart ass put down of someone with a laugh. “Off with you, mister smart ass. Get down off your high horse! Come back when you learn to tolerate others. They could be right too.” They could be. Who can judge? We all need to consider others views, as they should consider ours. Please stick around. You’re a great storyteller. Keep saying your good and tolerant words.
"Demean"? Really? I think you confuse disagreement with intolerance. Clearly I've offended you and the solution is for you to not read the column. Easy. Read people you agree with entirely.
Read my piece again. I disagree with you only on some issues, far from all. You haven’t offended me at all and I’m sorry I offended you. I was attempting to get you to see what I learned the hard way: sometimes others may be right and we may be wrong, and other times, opposite. We don’t need to belittle them, but we can argue against them….much like a debate, with Robert’s Rules of Order. To read only one viewpoint is to miss many points, some of which worthy of consideration. And others not. Please continue to send your column on. If you like, I won’t respond, only read. I value your points of view.
Often, lying politicians belittle themselves. But some add semi-truths to their statements. and those need our exposure, for sure. Mr. Keillor does that well.
Some points of view deserve to be belittled. The view that the 2020 election was fraudulent and that the January 6 attack was patriotic. Or that Covid was a hoax. There's a great deal of silliness out there
Your wonderful post on the opera seemed to beg for an Oly and Lena joke. Yes, oblique perhaps, but I'll not try to explain......rather just go head on:
Oly and Lena had been dating for a month or so, and Oly decided to take Lena to meet his folks. When his dad saw Lena he blurted: "Oh Boy, Lena!! You're qvite da big girl! You should play vit da Greenbay Packers!!
Lena smiled shyly and said: Ooo Tanks NOo! I only play vit Oly's Packer!!"
That one was told many times over after a few beers by Cy Swanson from Minnesota, WW2 vet and
The MET story reminded me of going there in 2019 with a beautiful all-black-wearing professional opera singer I briefly dated when I lived in Manhattan. We saw Turandot. She got us fantastic seats for free. She wept during the performance. It was surreal and very romantic. I’ll always cherish Manhattan, even if I have mixed feelings on NYC overall.
The election results were surprising. No red wave. No far-left wave, either. A victory for centrism, it seems, which is a good thing. Course we’ll see what happens with Georgia, Nevada and Arizona.
No. You are superior to many in what you do. You crank out engaging stories like no one else and you are right, in my opinion, about many things, but you seem to chastise and often demean those who differ with you politically. They have a right to their opinion as do you. I got my own put down from my Irish mother at our dinner table when I uttered a smart ass put down of someone with a laugh. “Off with you, mister smart ass. Get down off your high horse! Come back when you learn to tolerate others. They could be right too.” They could be. Who can judge? We all need to consider others views, as they should consider ours. Please stick around. You’re a great storyteller. Keep saying your words.
As a "Yokel" from Upstate New York, I've been to "The Met" exactly once. Leontine Price was starring in Aiida when my fairly new husband and I drove down to New York City. My great-uncle Howard and great Aunt-Grace invited us to stay with them after them after the show. It was a comedy of errors that led to the new, rotating stage at the Met getting stuck, holding us all up for an hour. Then, Uncle Howard's directions "go for 14 lights after the bridge led us to the parking lot of JFK airport. We called in, and eventually arrived. Uncle Howard was a true gentleman about it all. "It's the first time I've gotten to watch Johnny Carson and catch the late night movie," he quipped. What I remember most of that trip isn't the Met, but Uncle Howards good tempered forgiveness!
You are credible when you say you made witty conversation. P.S. How about those election results in newly ungerrymandered Michigan! People love to say that Democrats are inept, but they've been anything but inept (for the most part) during the ByeDon Administration. Darned autocorrect—that was supposed to be Biden.
Excitement is building for St. Louis... and coincidentally the Met in April. Our old souls are grateful... especially those of us living in Michigan.
I live close enough to MKE to make it worth your investment. Besides I married a Krebsback from the (WI) Holyland. If that doesn't pique your interest I don't know would. She's a keeper, too. And we would help you avoid Ron Johnson at all cost!
Financial gurus use the acronym ROI (return on investment) to describe your coup de grace for your fateful night at the opera. Sometimes the magic of the world of Walt prevails rather than the all-to-cynical one of his son Roy. May that the world of Disney and enchantment prevail in our attempts at living in a civilized world. Thank you for your wisdom, Garrison.
This is the best review I have read of Traviata and they were all good. I saw it in Live HD in Southern Pines, NC. I didn't have to pay nearly as much as you did but then I didn't get to see the lady in glass shards. I fell in love with opera when I was 8 years old ~ weird I know. Now at age 89 I still love it. When I was in the ordination for the Episcopal Church I was asked what my passion was and I blurted out : OPERA. I figured I had cooked my goose but thanks be to God there was a priest on the Commission on Ministry that loved opera! Otherwise I might have become what I really wanted to be: A violinist in the Met Orchestra ~ oh to have been in the pit for Nadine, for Renee, for Joyce and Sondra. Now that is my idea of heaven.
“Obscenity is so lame. Try being witty, it’s more destructive. Also more memorable.” Kudos, Mr. Keillor! What a bon mot! (I think that qualifies, as there is no precise word limit on what constitutes a bon mot.)
Speaking of the Met, tell us your review of Moonstruck. Loved that movie...
Didn't see it Hope you liked it.
bravo, bravoBRAVO GK! We saw La Traviata and glorious Nadine Sierra and brilliant Luca in local movie theatre. What a delight to see the closeups , hear and read text all at same time, so much better than orchestra seats we afforded some years ago on trips to NYC from Boston.
Now we can rejoice in the pink-only trickle & the down-falling of the nemesis of democracy….
Best wishes to you and your violinist partner!
Loved this column! My version: Sometime during first date - Me "Do you like Opera?" She "Yes." Me "I have tickets." Within a month, Berlioz Beatrice et Benedict sealed the deal.
And what a perfect contrast between the (perhaps) hyper morality of that era and the amorality of today's political world.
I don't believe the part where you say your now dear wife's political leaning would not have affected your attraction back then. Likely even your own mother's. You are a lib through and through and were born so and always will be. Just like Woody Allen in his movie about having no such brain tumor. The sad part about it is that you think your are superior to others who don't, no matter their qualities. What a loss of good friends among almost half the population.
I think I'm superior to others? Sorry you got that impression. Do you want me to go away? Just say the word.
Garrison, No. You are superior to many in what you do. You crank out engaging stories like no one else and you are right, in my opinion, about many things, but you seem to chastise and often demean those who differ with you politically. They have a right to their opinion as do you. I got my own put down from my Irish mother at our dinner table when I uttered a smart ass put down of someone with a laugh. “Off with you, mister smart ass. Get down off your high horse! Come back when you learn to tolerate others. They could be right too.” They could be. Who can judge? We all need to consider others views, as they should consider ours. Please stick around. You’re a great storyteller. Keep saying your good and tolerant words.
"Demean"? Really? I think you confuse disagreement with intolerance. Clearly I've offended you and the solution is for you to not read the column. Easy. Read people you agree with entirely.
Read my piece again. I disagree with you only on some issues, far from all. You haven’t offended me at all and I’m sorry I offended you. I was attempting to get you to see what I learned the hard way: sometimes others may be right and we may be wrong, and other times, opposite. We don’t need to belittle them, but we can argue against them….much like a debate, with Robert’s Rules of Order. To read only one viewpoint is to miss many points, some of which worthy of consideration. And others not. Please continue to send your column on. If you like, I won’t respond, only read. I value your points of view.
The thing is, he hasn't belittled anyone, except lying politicians.
Often, lying politicians belittle themselves. But some add semi-truths to their statements. and those need our exposure, for sure. Mr. Keillor does that well.
In short, I’d prefer following you.
Some points of view deserve to be belittled. The view that the 2020 election was fraudulent and that the January 6 attack was patriotic. Or that Covid was a hoax. There's a great deal of silliness out there
More we do not need, says Garrison at the thanksgiving table. 🙏💕
Dear Garrison,
Your wonderful post on the opera seemed to beg for an Oly and Lena joke. Yes, oblique perhaps, but I'll not try to explain......rather just go head on:
Oly and Lena had been dating for a month or so, and Oly decided to take Lena to meet his folks. When his dad saw Lena he blurted: "Oh Boy, Lena!! You're qvite da big girl! You should play vit da Greenbay Packers!!
Lena smiled shyly and said: Ooo Tanks NOo! I only play vit Oly's Packer!!"
That one was told many times over after a few beers by Cy Swanson from Minnesota, WW2 vet and
story-teller par excellence! Rest his soul!!
Roger Krenkler
The MET story reminded me of going there in 2019 with a beautiful all-black-wearing professional opera singer I briefly dated when I lived in Manhattan. We saw Turandot. She got us fantastic seats for free. She wept during the performance. It was surreal and very romantic. I’ll always cherish Manhattan, even if I have mixed feelings on NYC overall.
The election results were surprising. No red wave. No far-left wave, either. A victory for centrism, it seems, which is a good thing. Course we’ll see what happens with Georgia, Nevada and Arizona.
Michael Mohr
‘The Incompatibility of Being Alive’
https://reallife82.substack.com/
Well please, you and your wife, watch it on Netflix or somewhere and tell me what you think! It's priceless.
No. You are superior to many in what you do. You crank out engaging stories like no one else and you are right, in my opinion, about many things, but you seem to chastise and often demean those who differ with you politically. They have a right to their opinion as do you. I got my own put down from my Irish mother at our dinner table when I uttered a smart ass put down of someone with a laugh. “Off with you, mister smart ass. Get down off your high horse! Come back when you learn to tolerate others. They could be right too.” They could be. Who can judge? We all need to consider others views, as they should consider ours. Please stick around. You’re a great storyteller. Keep saying your words.
As a "Yokel" from Upstate New York, I've been to "The Met" exactly once. Leontine Price was starring in Aiida when my fairly new husband and I drove down to New York City. My great-uncle Howard and great Aunt-Grace invited us to stay with them after them after the show. It was a comedy of errors that led to the new, rotating stage at the Met getting stuck, holding us all up for an hour. Then, Uncle Howard's directions "go for 14 lights after the bridge led us to the parking lot of JFK airport. We called in, and eventually arrived. Uncle Howard was a true gentleman about it all. "It's the first time I've gotten to watch Johnny Carson and catch the late night movie," he quipped. What I remember most of that trip isn't the Met, but Uncle Howards good tempered forgiveness!